Chapter 335
So it was all about Irwin.
Briony wasn’t surprised–at least, not really.
“What have I ever done to him?” she said with a faint laugh. “Don’t make it sound like I’ve been cruel or something.”
Stewart sighed, frustration creeping into his voice. “Irwin’s actually quite sensitive. Briony, I know you hold grudges against me and against Rosita, but Irwin is innocent in all this.”
Briony’s gaze was icy. “Innocent? And what, my son deserved what happened to him?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Stewart’s brow furrowed. “I get that you’re angry, and you can take it all out on me if you want. But can’t you show Irwin a little more care? For the sake of his real father?”
Briony’s eyes narrowed.
Of course Stewart would pull that move. When persuasion failed, he’d even invoke Irwin’s heroic father for sympathy.
“Stewart, I respect heroes. But I’m just a mother who lost her child. I’m petty and small–minded–I can’t possibly understand your grand generosity.”
“The best I can do is not take out my pain on Irwin. But if you expect me to treat him as my own, that’s simply impossible.”
“You don’t have to treat him like your own,” Stewart said quietly. “Just… show him a little kindness.”
“I don’t do fake kindness,” Briony replied coldly, her eyes never leaving his. “If you want someone who’s good at coddling his feelings, maybe Jeannie’s your best bet.”
Stewart’s face darkened. “Jeannie is just the nanny I hired, nothing more.”
“Then since he has his own professional caretaker, why are you forcing this on me?”
“You matter to Irwin in a way no one else does.”
“That’s just your wishful thinking. If my absence really mattered, then how come Irwin was perfectly fine the four years I was gone?”
Stewart pressed his lips together, his dark eyes steady on her.
“If you’re not truly giving these shares to Little Nina, then I don’t want them.”
Briony set the documents back on the table and turned to leave. Stewart caught her by the arm. “I meant those shares for Little Nina from the start.”
Chapter 335
He picked up the folder and held it out to her. “Hold onto them for her, please.”
Briony looked up at him. “Do you actually care about Little Nina? Is this your idea of fatherly love? Give her five percent of the company, and in return expect her mother to care for your enemy’s child? Stewart, you don’t deserve to be Little Nina’s father!”
Stewart was struck silent by her words.
It was a long moment before he finally spoke. “I didn’t think it through. Forget what I said about Irwin. Please, just accept the shares.”
Briony gave a short, cold laugh. “If you really mean it, give her ten percent–no strings attached.” Stewart’s gaze lingered on her.
Her stance was unyielding; there was no room for negotiation.
After a pause, his voice dropped. “Fine. Ten percent. No conditions.”
“Good. Draw up the new paperwork and send it to me when it’s ready.”
She pulled her arm out of his grasp and strode toward the door.
She passed the large window, catching a fleeting glimpse of the watercolor Stewart had pressured her to finish four years ago. She barely glanced at it and kept walking, never slowing her pace.
Stewart’s eyes followed her until she disappeared from the study.
He rubbed his brow, the silence broken only by the sound of a weary sigh.
The next morning, James pulled up bright and early to pick up Briony and Little Nina.
Today, they were visiting preschools to find the best fit for Little Nina.
Crystal came along too.
After comparing three different places, Briony finally chose the one closest to her studio–a private school in the neighborhood.
She made a point to talk with the director: Little Nina would need a companion in class.
Crystal would be that companion.
At these elite preschools, arrangements like this weren’t unusual. Having a companion never disrupted the normal routine, and the school was happy to accommodate.
Briony knew that Little Nina might have trouble adjusting to a new environment, so she decided to wait three days before sending her to the new school.
After registering, Briony took Crystal and Little Nina with her to the studio.
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